Missing Boy Rescued in Gastonia Snowstorm

A 13-year-old boy with special needs, who wandered from his Gastonia, North Carolina home during a snowstorm on Saturday night, has been safely returned. The Gastonia Police Department confirmed his rescue, attributing assistance to a K-9 officer.

The boy was not wearing proper clothing when he left his home. Temperatures in Gastonia were below freezing at the time, and the area had received several inches of new snow, adding to previous accumulations.

Authorities stated the child faced serious risk due to the cold and snowy conditions.

Coordinated Search Leads to Safe Return

Multiple agencies were involved in the search. K-9 officer Bo was given an item belonging to the boy to track his scent, and Bo promptly began tracking.

While Bo tracked, the Gastonia Police Department, sheriff's office, and EMS established a secured perimeter. The boy was subsequently located within this perimeter by EMS workers. He was found cold but unharmed.

The police department noted that the operation's success was due to the rapid response and cooperation among those involved, highlighting K-9 Bo's performance in severe weather conditions.